Ecologia, Medio Ambiente y Energias Renovables en la Naturaleza

New wind energy installations in Europe worth $16.74 billion remained strong last year, riding on an aggressive renewables drive according to the industry's umbrella group, although concerns linger for this year onwards.

The European Wind Energy Association said the continent installed 9,616 megawatts of new wind energy capacity in 2011, almost similar to the 9,648 MW raised in 2010.

But the notable trend, according to EWEA, is how wind power rode on the strong drive towards renewable energy in the E.U.

According to the industry group, 2011 installations represent 21.4 percent of all new power capacity in Europe in 2011. This in turn rides on the fact that more renewable energy was installed in the region during 2011 than any other year.

Renewables accounted for 71.3 percent of new installations from only 37.7 percent in 2010, as oil and nuclear saw a drop with more capacity decommissioned than installed.

All told, more power capacity was installed in 2011 than ever before - an increase of 3.9 percent, due "entirely" to increasing renewable power installations, according to EWEA.

Growth needed

But what's going to happen this year will be the big question.

EWEA communications chief Julian Scola says that although the long-term prospects for the wind industry are positive, 2012, coming off Europe's financial crisis that hugged headlines last year, is uncertain.

"We do need real growth. It's been a bumpy ride for the last year and it may continue in 2012. We'll have to see if the wind industry can find new forms of financing, but the long term prospects are very good," Mr. Scola said.

Last year was only the third time since 1998 that Europe installed more coal than it decommissioned.

"Despite the economic crisis gripping Europe, the wind industry is still installing solid levels of new capacity," said Justin Wilkes, EWEA policy director.

"But to achieve the E.U.'s long-term targets we need strong growth again in future years. It is critical to send positive signals to investors by European governments maintaining stable policies to support renewables and for the European Union to commit to put in place a binding renewable energy target for 2030."

The European Union has a legally binding commitment to 20 percent renewable energy by 2020, and has committed to reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

Other policy proposals call for the bloc to move to a 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020; introduce an Emissions Performance Standard; and end subsidies for new coal builds.

Leaders

Last year, onshore installations in Germany, Sweden and emerging adopters like Romania drove growth, along with offshore wind in Britain. These made up for the fall in installations in mature markets France and Spain.

Germany remains the E.U. country with the largest installed capacity, followed by Spain, France, Italy and Britain.

Annual installations of wind power have increased steadily over the last 17 years from 814 MW in 1995 to 9,616 MW in 2011, an annual average market growth of 15.6 percent. A total of 93,957 MW is now installed in the E.U.

The wind capacity installed by the end of 2011 can produce 204 terawatt-hours of electricity in a normal, representing 6.3 percent of electricity consumption in the region. (Eric Dorente)

http://www.ecoseed.org/ - ECOticias.com